3 comments about Costume Jewelry for Haute Couture.

1. I haven't finished reading this book but the images of jewelry are beautiful and inspiring.



2. I've been keeping an eye on 'high fashion' for 25+ years as my own one-of-a-kind bead & jewelry business evolved. I could never figure out why some of the very unusual and creative jewelry I saw in couture and pret-a-porte' runway shows was rarely covered in detail in the fashion books or magazines. Finally this book was created to begin answering my prayers! Bravo - I love it, get lost in it!
   While I love all kinds of jewelry, I'd gotten my fill of the books featuring more traditional gold/diamond-type jewelry! If you like the more unusual side of the universe, then you will treasure this book.... and I say all of this before I've even studied the text!
   I hope publishers will pay attention and give us more, more, more! This is the tip of the iceberg and I'm delighted.



3. Expertly co-authored by fashion historian and consultant Florence Muller and haute couture costume jewelry collector Patrick Sigal, "Costume Jewelry For Haute Couture" is a profusely illustrated compendium showcasing dazzling, one-of-a-kind jewelry designed by skilled artisans to complement and adorn individual couture pieces for fashion shows and photo shoots. Representing outstanding examples from Coco Chanle in the 1920s to Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s, to the creation of Lanvin today, "Costume Jewelry For Haute Couture" highlights some of the greatest jewelry creations by some of the greatest artists the fashion industry has every known, including examples by Balenciaga, Diro, Schiaparelli, Givench, Vionnet, and so many others. Beautiful and informative, "Costume Jewelry For Haute Couture" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History, Fashion History, and Jewelry reference collections.

5 comments about Collectible Costume Jewelry: Identification & Values.

1. I bought this book for my grandmother who is a serious pin collector. She has hundreds, if not thousands, of pins! She loves this book and references it often in identifying pins, etc.



2. Wonderful photographs wide range of designers as well as some unsigned pieces. The only issue I have with the book is the value guide is a bit out dated. (book released in 1997! Almost vintage it self!)
   But it will give you a good idea of a value range. The market goes up and down and I am certian this was written when it was up, with today's gas issue the same pieces do and will sell for much less, as I have seen on eBay. The Florenza pieces in the book have a low value and I've seen the prices so much higher than what is marked this book. It does give you a good idea though.
   There is a great varity of types from rhinestone necklaces to bakelite clips to compacts and a few copper pieces. Demis, full parures, broochs, bracelets.. Very well done book.
   Apparently I got a "Library" copy that was dog eared and marked up inside, but all in all I am happy with this book and suggest it to all collectors.



3. Very informative book, well laid out and beautifully illustrated.
   My copy is in hardback and was an excellent buy for the price. The book identifies all the famous and many little known costume jewellery makers and their marks/signatures so it is a very good buy for anyone starting to collect vintage costume jewellery. The only disappointment for me is that it basically only covers USA jewellery with little mention of Victorian, Deco, Czech etc from Europe and Britain.



4. I like this book for a number of reasons. I like the way it's organized by types of jewelry and not by designer like so many other books I own. I like the graphic illustrations of the types of cuts and the lengths necklaces come in and how to 'name' them accordingly. I like the old costume jewelry advertisements at the beginng of the book, giving one a sense of the era.
   
   As a dealer of vintage costume jewelry, this book is a great addition to my collection. Buy it if you have an interest in vintage jewelry.
   
   Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.



5. I am new to collecting costume jewelry so I bought this book thinking it would help me identify older pieces. It confused me more than anything else.

   This book has beautiful photos which have been very helpful to me. However, the author is vague on alot of things.

   She does talk about the differnt era's of jewelry (i.e. victorian, art deco etc.) but she is not clear on how to date them or how to tell when they were made. Just not enough information or details if you really want to idetify your great finds!

   I still don't know how to tell the difference between Bakelite, celluloid, lucite or regular plastic!

   Great book if you just want alot of pretty pictures!!

5 comments about Inside the Jewelry Box: A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry: Identification and Values (Inside the Jewelry Box).

1. This is a fabulous book on vintage costume jewelry! Beautiful colored photos, prices, loads of information and FUN. The author shares her own stories, talking with you as if you are an old friend, and by the time you finished the book you'll wish you were.
   
   Anyone who has a passion for vintage beauties will love this book. It appeals to collectors on every level. Don't hesitate to buy. You will not be disappointed.
   
   The author's first book on vintage costume jewelry is also a must have!



2. Ooops, I meant, not your OTHER jewelry book. I liked the first Inside the Jewelry Box so much, it was worth buying what I thought was just a second edition of it. But this is an entirely new book, with all new everything: information, subjects, photos. Great job once again by the talented Ann Pitman, who covers yum-yum subjects from fruit salad to Juliana and Lily Dache ... and exotic hard to find extras such as an Italian Ornella boot and a snazzy Calvaire purse. This is one of those books that keep on giving: you keep finding wonderful things you didn't see before, no matter how many times you look. Great job ... on an all-new book!



3. Beautifully written and the photos are stunning! If you collect costume jewelry you won't be disappointed. Only problem is now I have many more pieces to covet!!!



4. Inside the Jewelry Box: A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry Identification and Values, Volume 2 is a full-color catalogue of an amazing array of costume jewelry pieces. Each piece is presented with one or more photographs, a recommended price, and the name of the collection from which the sample piece was selected. From charm bracelets to artful plastics to necklaces, earrings, and rings, as well as special sections dedicated to well-known brand designs such as Eisenberg and Bettina von Walhof, Inside the Jewelry Box is a singularly gorgeous compilation and a joy to page through simply to savor the photography. The text offers the occasional sprinkling of historical information, comments, or insights about costume jewelry as well. A highly recommended treasury for collectors.



5. If you are a jewelry lover this is a must have book for your collection.
   Ann does a wonderful job with the pictures and the information. She is very knowledgeable in the costume jewelry field

1 comments about Zuni Jewelry.

1. Even though these are obstensibly for the information of collectors, all the Schiffer books that I have ever gotten are magnificent just for the those who wistfully wish they could afford a piece. The reader can't handle the actual pieces, but it's about as close as one will get in a picture. And if one ever does get enough money to buy a piece, one will know what one wants.
   
   This is full of well-done color pictures and packed with a lot of information about the history and contemporary makers. There are other books with gorgeous shots of turquoise and silver, but the reader of this and the Bassman's other books will come away with some real understanding of the different styles, schools, and the cultural milieu of their creation.

5 comments about Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry: Indentification & Values (Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry).

1. I was not overly impressed with this book.It did have a list of a dozen or so of what I'd call "THE MASTERS",well know and VERY EXPENSIVE pieces,but none of the lesser ones that you find every day in farmer's markets,auctions,flea markets,yard sales,garage sales,etc.ie NO mention of Sarah Coventry,AJC,JJ,and some others.Okay maybe for a beginners book but mine has been used twice.I've had it for years!



2. If you are thinking about collecting (a sick, sick hobby of mine) this is a starter book. Be careful that you don't let the costume jewelry bug bite you. It costs a fortune and breaks everytime you wear it. My jeweler and I now have lunch every week.



3. This is an excellent resource guide to have. There is so much vintage jewelry out there and details to know. Important for the collector.



4. This book is much thinner than the first volume and there is no table of contents so it is hard to find the companies covered. These are also the less expensive jewelry companies than the first volume. I wish the author had included more companies especially the less known more valuable marks. The author does a nice job with some basic information but this is not a useful for the advanced collector. Beautiful pictures.



5. This book has been a great help to me as a new beginner to Vintage Costume Jewelry. It has helped me to identify and appreciate the values on some pieces of jewelry. It has become an aid for me to value the jewelry I now collect and resell.
   I would reccomend this book to any beginner collector.

No comments about Warman's Vintage Jewelry: Identification and Price Guide (Warmans).

5 comments about Tiaras - A History of Splendour.

1. What fabulous photographs! Many of them in colour and close up to show the beautiful detail! Anyone who has a interest in royalty or jewels will love this book. I certainly do. Munn writes an informative text as well and makes for an interesting read.



2. This is a large coffee table book which would grace any table in the world with its magnificent photographs of the tiaras belonging to royalty, the rich and famous and museums. The display of diamonds and precious gemstones is breathtaking, showing the many different styles which came and went in fashion, some delicate and dainty and others, gaudy and cumbersome, but all of them with jewels which are stunning in their beauty. I enjoyed the written descriptions and stories which accompany them as much as the photos, as I hadn't any idea that these magnificent pieces were so often broken up and reassembled to suit a new owner's taste, and the history of the jewels are a lesson in history on their own, with the shape and size of the headpieces reflecting the fashion of the day as well as the prevailing life style of the owner. Even tiaras given by Queen Elizabeth 2 to members of her own family have been altered to suit the taste of the recipient, as one I noticed...the aquamarine and diamond tiara given to Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has been reduced in size from a full tiara to a more comfortable diadem which sits more easily on the front of the head. This is a book which one could have on a coffee table for years, to browse through and never tire of looking at it.



3. For those who are either royal or Jewelry collectable enthusiast. Geoffrey C. Munn's coffe table book on the history of the tiara is a must have. Rich colour plated illustrations with close ups of the masterpieces created to adorn the heads of royalty and the aristocracy throughout the ages. Resourceful information about the history behind the creation of the jewel,& the owner's family history and heritage as well.



4. Oh my God! This is serious eye candy. The photos are huge and clearly detailed. The book is huge. You'll never get through just looking at all the pictures in one sitting. There's lots of good information about the tiaras, too. Considering that you can spend $20 on a paperback with no photos, I would definitely advise you to spring for the $47 for this huge book that has lots of colorful photographs of some of the most amazing jewels in the world. [...]



5. If you've ever dreamed of Tiara's this is the book to get. Wonderful descriptions throughout and the photos are magnificent. Very Heavy, but well worth the weight.

1 comments about Cartier 1899-1949: The Journey of a Style.

1. The book is well researched but the range is limited to a period of Cartier. Focusing not only on the great historic pieces but also on the small ones, it makes for interesting reading for anyone who appreciate fine workmanship but also the history of jewels. High quality photos.

5 comments about Warman's Costume Jewelry Figurals: Identification and Price Guide (Warman's).

1. Before purchasing this book I had heard from others about its contents and it did not disappoint. There is a lot of information and a whole lot of wonderful costume jewelry ---- wide range of subjects and makers. All in all a very good book if you like figural jewelry.



2. If you love vintage costume jewelry, you are going to love this book. There are excellent pictures and descriptions not seen in prior jewelry books.



3. What you spend on this non-fiction work can come back to you a thousand fold because it is a great guide to making money in the big, broad world of costume jewelry. I see it as a must for anyone of any age who wants to collect or sell jewelry, especially figurals.



4. As a novice collector I really enjoyed this very well written and informative new book. The outstanding colored photographs are large enough to show details in the wonderful selection of jewelry represented.
   
   And now the hunt begins with this book as my invaluable guide.
   
   IT'S A WINNER *****



5. I knew this book would be good because the author is so knowledgeable about the stories behind the companies and designers. Her photos are great, with a large size that are perfect for checking out the detail in the jewelry. I have been a collector for over 20 years and yet I had never seen most of the pins in this book. The information and the jewelry are "fresh" and I really love this book. I can't recommend it highly enough, make sure you add it to your collection.

5 comments about Warman's Jewelry (3rd Edition).

1. As on online vintage jewelry dealer, Atlanta vintage jewelry dot com, Warman's book was one of the first in my reference library. Sure, it has some faults, but not to the degree to make the book 'useless'. I used to spend my evenings in bed reading through the pages, getting familiar with the vast array of information.
   
   The book includes excellent pictures with clarity, and lots of them. It covers jewelry designs from various eras, beginning in the mid-1700's through present day.
   
   Many people in the vintage jewelry circles may refer to Warman's as the 'bible' of vintage jewelry as it also covers both fine and costume.
   
   In spite of its somewhat unreliable index referred to by others, this hefty book is well worth the purchase price. I'm glad for mine.
   
   Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.



2. Over the years, Warman's guides to antiques have established a reputation for reliability. This volume is the third (2002) edition of their jewelry guide. It's lavishly illustrated with examples from many styles, eras, and price ranges. It provides a feast for the eyes and a lot of useful information as well.
   
   Romero divides the material according to time period and, when appropriate, according to style and material and country of origin. She gives concise summaries of the essentials of each and links jewelry fashions to world events and clothing styles. Sometimes her discussions are a little too concise for this curious reader ( to be fair, the book is a guide, not an in-depth treatment), but she provides a full bibliography at the end for those who want to dig deeper. There's also a glossary of jewelry-related terminology and a section on marks.
   
   According to the introduction, this edition reflects the increasing globalization of the marketplace and the influence of internet buying. Romero has expanded coverage of Scandinavian jewelry and added discussions of Neo-Renaissance and Beaux-Arts jewelry. Every illustration is in color, and the captions are fully detailed. Several reviewers of earlier editions mentioned that there were problems with the index. These problems seem to have been corrected in this edition.
   
   Any problems I have with this book are mostly quibbles. The author makes a point of linking changes in jewelry fashions to changes in clothing and in social conditions. I wish that she had put in a few period illustrations showing the fashions and the jewelry worn with them. This is probably a little out of the reach of an identification and value guide, but it would have been a nice touch. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful resource for jewelry collectors and, in fact for anyone who thinks they might like to become one.



3. "Warman's Jewelry," 3rd edition, by Christie Romero, is subtitled "A Fully Illustrated Identification and Price Guide to 18th, 19th, & 20th Century Fine and Costume Jewelry." The book is full of fascinating and useful features, among them an extensive bibliography, glossary, index, and chronology. There are also a number of appendices, including a hallmark identification guide and a guide to the marks and names on Mexican silver jewelry and metalware.

   The 272-page book is full of hundreds of clear, beautiful full color photos of jewelry. Each photo is accompanied by essential information on each piece depicted. The items shown represent a huge price span; in this book you'll see a $336,000.00 gem-encrusted platinum bracelet, a $10.00 brooch shaped like a poodle, and lots in between. Many types of jewelry are pictured: necklaces, cufflinks, earrings, lockets, scarf pins, etc. Included are pieces representing a broad variety of artistic approaches: whimsical, elegant, gaudy, graceful, fierce, futuristic.

   Also fascinating is the broad range of materials covered: diamonds, emeralds, opals, turquoise, gold, coral, agate, wood, rhinestones, plastic, brass, porcelain, etc. The photography is accompanied by an interesting, well-written text. Jewelry production is placed in historical and cultural context. There are also special sections devoted to jewelry of particular cultures (Native American, Mexican, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish). Interesting trends such as Victorian-era black jewelry and "eye miniatures" are also highlighted. Overall, this is an endlessly interesting and stunningly beautiful reference work.




4. AS AN OLDER PERSON, I HAVE 'LIVED THROUGH' MANY OF THE FADS WHICH JEWELRY MANUFACTURERS REFLECT. I STARTED COLLECTING JEWELRY, AND DECIDED TO WRITE A RESOURCE BOOK FOR THE NOVICE. WELL, WHEN I READ MS. ROMERO'S BOOK, I FOUND THAT IT WAS SO INCLUSIVE THAT IN ORDER TO FILL IN THE GAPS, AS IT WERE, MY WORK IS REALLY CUT OUT FOR ME. THIS BOOK IS A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO ANY JEWELRY COLLECTOR'S REFERENCE LIBRARY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE SPACE TO REVIEW IT.



5. A great book, with lots of valuble information, but the index, is not accurate.this makes it very frustrating to look things up....warmans should issue partial refunds to the dedicated customers who purchased the book...